Lady’Back netters host invitational

BY ANDRES FOCIL

FAYETTEVILLE—The University of Arkansas women’s tennis team begins their 2004 fall campaign as they host the 12th annual Lady Razorback Invitational at the UA Varsity Courts this weekend. The tournament has been broken down into four singles flights and two doubles flights so that every player in the tournament plays four singles matches and three doubles matches. Unlike years past, there will be no overall tournament champion. Instead, a champion is crowned from each flight. “I like this year’s setup up much more than last years format,” said head coach Michael Hegarty. “Everyone will play a lot of tennis and is a great opportunity to see how physical our team really is.” The tournament features not just a remodeled Lady Razorback roster, but also brings in some skilled regional competition as well. Competing in the tournament along with Arkansas is Oklahoma State University, Sam Houston State University, Southwest Missouri State University and Wichita State University. Little is known at this point about the style of play of 2004-05 Lady’Back tennis team. With two transfer students and four freshmen moving in with the three returnees from last season, the Lady Razorback tennis roster is as big as it has ever been since 1991. “Its very different from last year. The three returnees are more physical than they were 12 months ago, and the newcomers surprised me with their level of physicality,” said. Hegarty. Last year at the event, Arkansas made a name for itself by winning 11 of the first 12 matches they played. Junior Melissa Cornett led the team all the way to the final game of the singles tournament, but lost in a grudge match to University of Texas-Arlington’s Monika Peciulionyte. In doubles, Senior Iliana Pacheco played one half of a doubles team that made its way all the way to the semifinal match, but fell just short in an 8-6 match. Singles matches begin Friday at 9:00 a.m. with doubles matches kicking off at 2:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, please visit www.ladybacks.com.